Recordings and documents for agenda items can be accessed via BoardDocs by clicking the corresponding agenda items.
Legislative Update
Utah lawmakers have revived debate over an equalization proposal that would redistribute a third of any increase in per- pupil funding based on the health of a school District’s tax base. SB80 creates winners and losers and Canyons District would be among the biggest losers, not just in total revenue, but on a per-pupil basis, explained External Relations Director Charlie Evans. Assuming lawmakers approve a 3 percent increase this year in the Weighted Pupil Unit, CSD would lose up to $1.5 million. This, coupled with a nationwide teacher shortage, would hinder the District’s ability to recruit and retain teachers, Evans said. The bill has passed the Senate, but may encounter more resistance in the House. Board members expressed gratitude for lawmakers who represent Canyons District communities and have opposed the measure.
Supplemental Hours of Instruction for Kindergarten
The Board of Education approved a proposal to continue the Supplemental Hours of Instruction for Kindergarten in Canyons District schools for the coming school year. The Board also approved a request from Instructional Supports Department Director Dr. Amber Roderick-Landward to expand number of sites for the program. She will meet with principals to determine where the sites will be located for the 2017-2018 school year. Business Administrator Leon Wilcox told the Board the augmented-kindergarten program is a cost-revenue neutral initiative.
CTESS Update
Canyons District’s educator evaluation system has come a long way over the past several years as Canyons District has worked to refine it based on feedback from teachers, said Canyons’ Administrator of Evaluation and Leadership Development Sandra Dahl-Houlihan. Evaluation tools have been developed for counselors, Career and Technical Education coordinators, nurses and librarians. A training academy was created to support freshmen teachers; the District offers more than 250 hours of professional development training each year. But more work remains to be done, said Dahl-Houlihan. The District plans to fully digitize teacher evaluations and build evaluation tools for Administrators and other support personnel. To keep the momentum going and meet demand for training, Human Resources Director Stephen Dimond is recommending that the Administrator of Evaluation and Leadership Development position be renewed. The Board will consider the proposal at a future meeting.
CTE Month
Every year in February, a cohort of CSD students are provided an chance to spend time shadowing business professionals then network with their sponsors over lunch. This year, 89 students and 41 companies took part in the job-shadow event, one of several activities planned in February to celebrate Career and Technical Education Month. By partnering with the business community, CTE programs prepare students for the workforce by exposing them to the technologies and job skills they’ll need, CTE Director Janet Goble told the Board of Education.
Policy Changes
The Board of Education heard proposed updates to outdated policies governing the hiring of employees, and the school-based administration of medications such as Narcan, epinephrine and anti-seizure drugs.
Graduation Assignments
Members of the Board of Education discussed speaking assignments at this spring’s commencement exercises for Alta High, Brighton High, Corner Canyon High, Hillcrest High, Jordan High, Jordan Valley, and Diamond Ridge High.
Consent Agenda
The Board of Education approved the consent calendar, which included minutes from the Jan. 17, 2017 meeting of the Canyons Board of Education; hire and termination reports; purchasing bids; student overnight travel plans; and membership of the Joint Educator Evaluation Committee.
Recognitions
Five students were recognized for their achievements. The following students earned Academic All-State Honors for winter sports: In boys basketball, Ammon Savage, from Corner Canyon High; in girls swimming, Haley Wiese, from Jordan High; in boys swimming, Todd Oldham, from Jordah High and Alvin Tsang, from Hillcrest High. Jordan’s Tiffaney Castillo alsowas recognized for her second-place win in the Utah Senate Visual Arts Scholarship competition. She will receive a $3,000 schiolarship.
Board of Education Reports
Mr. Mont Millerberg applauded parents and patrons who participated in last month’s discussion about middle school schedules. He assured patrons the Board hears their concerns and will continue to work toward a resolution. He said he was grateful to be able to participate in CSD’s Job Shadow Day during which students were given the opportunity to test-drive careers. He also commended Union Middle student and teachers for their production of “The Music Man.”
Mrs. Amber Shill said she attended a meeting of the Quail Hollow School Community Council, one of two councils in CSD that had 100 percent attendance at the District’s SCC-training program. She also attended a luncheon with CSD’s Student Advisory Council. At the event, the group discussed whether schools should start earlier or later. Most would prefer to start school later, she said, but agreed that 15 minutes earlier or later wouldn’t make much of a difference.
Mrs. Nancy Tingey said she enjoyed attending a student production of “The Lion King Jr.” at Albion Middle. She also commended Quail Hollow Elementary’s SCC for starting a volunteer tutoring program for grandmothers in the neighborhood surrounding the school. Tingey also thanked Evans, CSD Public Engagement Coordinator Susan Edwards and intern Gavin Howe for representing the District during the General Session of the Utah Legislature.
Mr. Steve Wrigley thanked families for participating in last month’s discussion about middle school schedules.
Mr. Chad Iverson said he had the opportunity to volunteer as part of Crescent Elementary’s WatchDOG program. He also lauded the Indian Hills Concert Band for being one of just a handful of middle and junior high school bands chosen to perform at a state festival held at the University of Utah.
Mrs. Clareen Arnold remarked on the new display of photographs hanging in the hallways of the Canyons Administration Building-East. She commended the District for its efforts to promote good digital citizenship during the 2nd annual Internet Safety and Digital Citizenship Week.
President Sherril H. Taylor thanked patrons for continuing to voice their opinions regarding middle school schedules. He asked CSD patrons to follow SB80, which would cost CSD up to $1.5 million. He urged them to voice their concerns. He thanked the lawmakers representing Canyons communities who have opposed it. He also expressed gratitude for the upcoming work to renovate Indian Hills Middle, one of more than a dozen projects funded with a $250 million bond approved in 2010.
Superintendent, Business Administrator Reports
Superintendent Dr. Jim Briscoe applauded efforts made by CSD’s schools to teach and model good digital citizenship. He also reported on attending CTE’s Job Shadow Day, and told the Board he would spend time on Capitol Hill in the coming days to speak out against SB80, and represent the District on other education-related bills.
Business Administrator Leon Wilcox updated the Board of Education on the progress of Indian Hills’ renovation. He also commended Education Technology Director Dr. Darren Draper for successfully completing a $600,000 digital-technology grant proposal.
